- WA community encouraged to sign up and search for pests that pose a risk to agriculture and the environment
- More than 1,000 reports made last year
- Month-long Biosecurity Blitz begins 16 October 2023
Western Australians are encouraged to help protect the State's vital agriculture industry from potentially damaging pests and diseases by signing up for the annual Biosecurity Blitz.
The month-long event begins on 16 October 2023, with the WA community asked to be on the lookout for interesting insects and plants living in backyards, bushland and parks across the suburbs.
Most are harmless but some may damage your garden or threaten WA's forests and agriculture industry.
Reporting is easy, use a mobile phone to upload pictures and information to the MyPestGuide Reporter appor online portal via the website below. Last year there were 1,252 reports during the Biosecurity Blitz.
These reports improve chances of eradication, safeguarding WA's access to international trade markets.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is currently responding to two key pests in the metropolitan area, the Queensland fruit fly, and Polyphagous Shot-Hole Borer.
For more information or to sign up, go to www.agric.wa.gov.au/biosecurity-blitz
Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
"The Biosecurity Blitz is a fun way for families to join the surveillance efforts for these pests and protect the State's agricultural sector and the environment.
"Every report helps to increase the likelihood that serious pests and diseases will be detected early, giving us a better chance to eradicate or contain them.
"Negative reports or zero detections of specific pests can also support our access to valuable export markets for our fruit and vegetable produce."
